Diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh hit a new low on Tuesday (December 23) as both nations summoned each other's envoys in a tit-for-tat diplomatic standoff.
India's Stance: Probe Before Blame The Indian External Affairs Ministry summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah to New Delhi. Joint Secretary B Shyam conveyed a firm message regarding the killing of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman bin Hadi:
Investigation Requested: India urged Dhaka to conduct a thorough, factual probe rather than "jumping the gun" by blaming Indian involvement.
Security Concerns: Indian officials claimed that "unsubstantiated allegations" have fueled anti-India sentiment, leading to dangerous incidents like the recent attempted storming of the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram.
Bangladesh's Stance: Diplomatic Safety Earlier the same day, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to lodge a "grave concern":
Mission Security: Dhaka protested against a string of demonstrations near Bangladeshi missions in India, specifically citing an incident near the New Delhi High Commission and the envoy's residence on December 20.
Extremism Warnings: Conversely, India had previously warned Dhaka about "extremist elements" threatening the security of the Indian mission in Bangladesh.
This marks the second time within ten days that both envoys have been summoned. The friction stems from the death of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, which has sparked widespread protests in Bangladesh and increased scrutiny of diplomatic security in both capitals.
